The Start Court The Start Court is a Magistrates Court based within the Central Law Courts in the Perth CBD specialising in dealing with offenders who have mental health issues. Mental Health Court. Referrals to the Start Court are typically made by Magistrates in general court lists, often at the suggestion of a defence lawyer, family member or the individual. Is mental health a crime in Australia?
What is mental health court? Are mental health courts successful?
These courts use a problem-oriented court model to address the challenges that courts and justice systems face in dealing with offenders with mental illness. It is distinct from other mental health jurisdictional courts which operate as quasi-tribunals to determine the legal application of mental impairment for the purposes of prosecution and sentencing. Alternative criminal justice processes that have attracted the attention of policymakers are specialist mental health courts and diversion programs. They rely on mental health assessments, individualized treatment plans, and ongoing judicial monitoring to address both the mental health needs of offenders and public safety concerns of communities.
All Australian jurisdictions have in-reach mental health services in their prisons that are similar to the government mental health services that exist in the community.

